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Friday, November 17, 2006

Last weekend Street Soccer 945 was back in action at Belmont Abbey College participating in their 5k race for Hunger Week at the college. Team members Pop45, Tony Kelley, Aubrie Finley, Chuck Allen, Cyrus Wuor and Ty were joined by James Gathings (writer and photography class member) and volunteer Brandon Bayes. On Friday we went out and met the race coordinators and help spray paint the course and assist with the set-up and on Saturday Tony and I were the representative racers for the team while Pop, James, Brian and Chuck helped with the cheering and sharing of Street Soccer 945 stories. When the race started Tony and I shot out of the gate into the lead waving our hands but were eventually passed by the more fit college students. Tony has never been one to shoot out in front when it comes to achieving his fitness goals so I was hoping for him just to finish and though there was under the breath cursing and chest burning, we kept our legs moving and found a breathing rythm and were able to finish the race sprinting down Abbey Lane and breaking through the red tape. After the race Michael O'Hearn, race coordinator, presented Street Soccer with a check for $1035.45 and Pop graciously thanked everyone for their support. Our thanks was and is passed onto Michael, Merriam, Ruth Payne, Corein Brown, and everyone involved with Hunger Week at Belmont Abbey College.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

About 40 third graders screamed a hero's welcome to members of Street Soccer 945 when they visited Trinity Episcopal School for the first time since returning from South Africa. Street Soccer 945 split up and scrimmaged amongs the kids. The smiles and relaxed expressions on the faces of our players said it all. What was so striking to me was that I hadn't seen that level of relaxation on their faces ever. For the first time I saw our team for the ages they really are. You forget that Craig and C-White are only 19, just like Sycthe and Aubrie. And that Pop, Jay Allen, Cyrus, and Tony are in their early twenties.

It does so much good for our guys to present themselves in front of groups and to be seen for their accomplishments. The other week at Trinity, the players did most of their talking with their feet, but Craig showed them the boomerang the Australian team had given him, and they answered basic questions about their journey.

Teacher of the class, Tachi Delinger, mentioned to me a story she had heard from one of the parents. The saturday after our visit, it began to rain. The student looked preoccupied and the parent asked, what's a matter. The student said, "I am worried about the soccer players, won't they get cold in the rain." Then the child turned optimistic, "Maybe they found somewhere to stay dry." "Yeah, maybe they did," the parent responded. Congrats to Trinity for their service learning commitment and to our guys for being good ambassadors, putting a human face on homelessness. While many have moved off the street and some of them are able to rent a hotel room or stay at the shelter, many still do sleep out or camp out regularly. For many it is a hard thing to really grasp, but certainly this Trinity student empathized.

Above, James Gathings, writer and photographer form Art Works 945, was a big help in setting up our exhibit for Covenant Presbyterian's Alternative Gift Fare. Beverly Cowan and Sam Hunt were other artists in attendance who were a big help. Sam actually graced us all with a baritone "Amazing Grace" rendition to close the evening. Female player Aubrie Finley, Scythe Fewell, Pop Miller, and Ray Isaac are all soccer players who also exhibited art.

The same evening Covenant honored our soccer team. Nine players and two coaches were introduced to the large crowd. Below goalie Scythe Fewell poses for a phot with a young fan who rocks his same style Gothic-T. Nice skull and crossbones!

Thanks to Covenant for their leadership and support. They raised 200 for the soccer team at the dinner in additon to the support they and their members give us year-round.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

HUNGER%20RUN%20FLYER.docPlease click on link above.As part of Belmont Abbey College's Hunger Week, they are hosting a 5k Run/ 1 Mile Walk. We are grateful and honored that "The Abbey," as the students call it, has chosen Street Soccer 945 as the benficiary of their event. Street Soccer 945 players will be involved in setting up for the event and also running in it as we get in shape for our winter season. Many thanks to Michael O'Hearn and Ruth Payne and all those at Belmont Abbey for their hard work!